P–148 Effect of additional laser assisted drilling (LAD) during trophectoderm (TE) biopsy on mosaicism rate

Study question Does applying additional LAD during TE biopsy cause higher mosaicism rate in blastocysts? Summary answer Applying LAD during TE biopsy to create additional zona opening will produce more mosaic blastocysts. What is known already In Alpha IVF, laser assisted hatching (LAH) was done on day3 after ICSI for all pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles. TE biopsy techniques used were laser+pulling (L+P), laser+flicking (L+F) and flicking only (F). At the time of biopsy, an extra step of creating additinonal artificial opening by LAD may be required when (a) blastocyst has very little herniated cells; (b) inner cell mass (ICM) is at the hatching point or biopsy site. Our internal study showed that biopsy using different techniques (L+P, L+F and F) does not affect mosaicism rate. Study design, size, duration This prospective study was designed to evaluate the effect of additional LAD during TE biopsy on the mosaicism rate. This study was conducted between 11th March–19th August 2019. Four hundred forty-three (443) patients had undergone oocyte retrieval and blastocyst culture after intracytoplasmic injection (ICSI) was done. A total of 824 hatching blastocyst (BG5) and fully hatched blastocyst (BG6) with at least a Grade A or Grade B TE (Gardner’s grading) were included in this study. Participants/materials, setting, methods LAH was done on day3 post-ICSI while biopsy was done on day5 and/or day6 for PGT-A. Laser pulse length used during LAH and biopsy was fixed at 400ms. The biopsied blastocysts were classified into 3 groups: (A) BG6 (n = 79), (B) BG5 without additional LAD during biopsy (n = 713) and (C) BG5 with additional LAD (n = 32). The number of biopsied cells ranged from 5–10 cells. Biopsied cells were tested using Next Generation Sequencing (Ion Torrent, USA). Main results and the role of chance The mosaicism rates for Group A, B and C were 19.0% (15/79), 23.4% (167/713) and 39.5% (15/38) respectively. Mosaicism rates of Group A and B were comparable (p = 0.4807), whilst Group C had significant higher mosaicism rate compared to Group A and B (p = 0.0238 and p = 0.0319 respectively). The mean age of Group A, B and C were 31.1, 31.4 and 27.1 respectively. The mean age between these 3 groups were not statistically significant (A vs B, p = 0.0713; A vs C, p = 0.06727; and B vs C, p = 0.4408). Limitations, reasons for caution Additional LAD during TE biopsy maybe be a confounding variable which affects the mosaicism rate. Moreover, the increase in mosaicism rate could be due to other unknown factors. A larger sample size is needed to confirm the results. Wider implications of the findings: Based on our study, additional LAD during TE biopsy is not recommended as this may increase mosaicism rate. Biopsy should be done when the blastocyst has more herniated cell or when the ICM leaves the hatching point/biopsy site. Trial registration number Not applicable

An Application Review of Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Composite

Fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites (FRGCs) were considered in terms of application in various areas, and a review is presented in this article. FRGCs are emerging as environmentally friendly materials, replacing cement in the construction industry. An alternative inorganic binder such as a geopolymer matrix promotes environmental awareness on releasing less CO2. The inorganic matrix geopolymer is considered a greener cement for FRGCs. Various types of fiber reinforcements and their role toward the improvement of tensile, flexural, impact strength, fracture toughness, and energy absorption in overall mechanical performance in FRGCs were discussed. FRGCs and their properties in mechanical response, with correlation toward microstructure evolution at room and elevated temperatures, were also discussed. Simultaneously, the durability and impact strength of FRGCs and damage area as a function of the energy absorption were presented with 3D reconstruction images. Moreover, 3D images will cover the internal volume of the FRGCs with internal porosity and fiber orientation. Hybrid fiber reinforcement adds an extra step for the application of geopolymer composites for structural applications.

Detection of Intestinal Parasites With Automated Sedimax2®. A New Step in the Parasitological Diagnosis in High Throughput Laboratories.

Despite the low prevalence of parasitic infections in Europe, the diagnosis of intestinal parasites is difficult and laborious for microbiology laboratories. Currently, the antigens detection kits and the molecular biology have allowed an easier diagnosis. But these techniques have also limitations due to the fact that they do not detect all possible parasites presents in the samples. The objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy and the usefulness of SediMAX2® (77 Elektronika, Budapest, Hungary) automated microscopy in the detection of parasitic structures from feces. A total of 197 formol-fixed stool samples were processed in parallel with wet mount examination and by SediMAX2®. Sensitivities, specificities and predictive values were analyzed, reaching sensitivity of 89.51% and specificity of 98.15%. Predictive values were also calculated with a very good positive predictive value (99.22%). SediMAX2® is a good tool for a reliable diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections. The easiness of use, processing and the flexibility in the images analyse allows its incorporation in the day to day laboratory work as an extra step for the parasitologists workload.

Sample preparation of dense granular materials Influence of void ratio e and coordination number Z* on the mechanical behaviour at failure

This paper presents a Discrete Element Method (DEM) study of assemblies of 5041 frictional discs, with periodic boundary conditions and confined by an external isotropic load. In order to generate samples with different internal state variables like the void ratio and coordination number, we present two different numerical procedures. The first technique, which has been widely used in the literature for many years, consists in controlling the coefficient of friction between particles to adjust the density of the samples, which directly influences the coordination number. The second technique is inspired by the previous one but adds an extra step of dynamic mixing with intergranular contacts lubrication. This makes it possible to control quasi independently the void ratio and the coordination number in the case of dense samples. These two types of samples are subjected to simple shear to analyse the influence of the sample preparation procedure on their macroscopic mechanical behaviour.

Repeat Sequence Mapping Shows Different W Chromosome Evolutionary Pathways in Two Caprimulgiformes Families

Although birds belonging to order Caprimulgiformes show extensive karyotype variation, data concerning their genomic organization is still scarce, as most studies have presented only results obtained from conventional staining analyses. Nevertheless, some interesting findings have been observed, such as the W chromosome of the Common Potoo, Nyctibius griseus (2n = 86), which has the same morphology and size of the Z chromosome, a rare feature in Neognathae birds. Hence, we aimed to investigate the process by which the W chromosome of this species was enlarged. For that, we analyzed comparatively the chromosome organization of the Common Potoo and the Scissor-tailed Nightjar, Hydropsalis torquata (2n = 74), which presents the regular differentiated sex chromosomes, by applying C-banding, G-banding and mapping of repetitive DNAs (microsatellite repeats and 18S rDNA). Our results showed an accumulation of constitutive heterochromatin in the W chromosome of both species. However, 9 out of 11 microsatellite sequences hybridized in the large W chromosome in the Common Potoo, while none of them hybridized in the W chromosome of the Scissor-tailed Nightjar. Therefore, we can conclude that the accumulation of microsatellite sequences, and consequent increase in constitutive heterochromatin, was responsible for the enlargement of the W chromosome in the Common Potoo. Based on these results, we conclude that even though these two species belong to the same order, their W chromosomes have gone through different evolutionary histories, with an extra step of accumulation of repetitive sequences in the Common Potoo.

The Use of Calcium Hydroxide as an Intracanal Medicament in the Treatment of Large Periapical Lesions. A Review

Calcium hydroxide is a slow-acting antiseptic substance used in several forms for the last century in various fields of dentistry. Its applications in endodontics are by far the most meaningful including the treatment of root resorptions and perforations, inducing the apexification process, and most importantly as intracanal medicaments representing a crucial step in the nonsurgical management of large periapical lesions. The aim of this article is to conduct a review of the properties, antimicrobial effect, combination with adjuvant substances, biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and adverse effects of calcium hydroxide-based dressings as an additional manoeuvre in the conservative treatment of chronic apical periodontitis and to draw attention on the importance of this extra step.

Bayesian Liberalism

This article defends liberalism, that is, the view that perceivers are justified in their perceptual beliefs simply on grounds of the perceptions on which the beliefs are based. By critically discussing several conservativist objections, it shows that liberalism is compatible with standard Bayesianism. This argument calls into question an assumption in the conservatist objections, an assumption that can be traced back to Pyrrhonian skepticism, namely, that the acquisition of perceptual evidence is primarily a matter of forming introspective beliefs about seemings or appearances. By contrast, this essay argues that the formation of introspective beliefs is an extra step over and above the acquisition of perceptual evidence. Forming the relevant introspective beliefs requires the possession of seeming or appearance concepts. However, subjects can acquire perceptual evidence, on this view, even if they lack these concepts or are incapable of forming the relevant introspective beliefs. Thus, the essay defends Bayesian liberalism.

Beyond artificial intelligence: why companies need to go the extra step

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to underscore the need for developing a meta-intelligence in companies based on a conceptual framework for combining artificial and human intelligence. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper, which draws on the insights from extant theoretical and empirical research. Findings In light of a growing trend towards artificial intelligence (AI), most companies face substantial difficulties, which often derive from an excessive emphasis on merely replacing human intelligence by means of AI. To capture the complementary benefits of artificial and human intelligence beyond mere cost savings, firms do not only need to enhance their advanced analytics while continuing to develop their human intelligence. Rather, they additionally need a meta-intelligence for transforming their intelligence architecture in line with corporate strategy. Consequently, the firms need intelligence3 – comprising AI, human intelligence and the meta-intelligence. Originality/value The new concept of a meta-intelligence for renewing and recombining artificial and human intelligence helps to reconcile diverse findings in prior research. Without this meta-intelligence, most AI initiatives will be isolated endeavors, which may have positive effects but likely will not live up to the expectations.